Lift assist device for a mobility apparatus

Abstract

A lift assist device preferably includes a pair of lift units and a battery. Each lift unit preferably includes a linear actuator, a lift projection, a top bracket and a bottom bracket. A screw sled extends from one side of the linear actuator. An end of a lift projection is secured to the screw sled. One end of the top bracket is attached to a top of the linear actuator. One end of a bottom bracket is attached to a bottom of the linear actuator. The top and bottom brackets will be different depending on whether they are attached to rollators, wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and motorized scooters. The lift assist device may be used to help lift a user from a chair adjacent the rollator, wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter, or when the user is seated in rollator, wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or motorized scooter.

I claim: 
     
       1. A lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus comprising:
 a pair of linear actuators which each include a screw sled and a lift projection, said screw sled moves along at least a portion of a lengthwise axis of said linear actuator when said linear actuator is actuated, said lift projection extends outward from said screw sled, wherein said lift projection is configured to be grasped by a hand for lifting or lowering a patient; and 
 at least one bracket capturing one of said pair of linear actuators and being secured to a portion of a mobility apparatus. 
 
     
     
       2. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 each one of said pair of linear actuators includes an electrical motor that rotates a screw. 
 
     
     
       3. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 said mobility device is a rollator. 
 
     
     
       4. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 said mobility device is a wheel chair. 
 
     
     
       5. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 said mobility device is a motorized wheel chair. 
 
     
     
       6. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 said mobility device is a motorized scooter. 
 
     
     
       7. A lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus comprising:
 a pair of linear actuators which each include a screw sled and a lift projection, said screw sled moves along at least a portion of a lengthwise axis of said linear actuator when said linear actuator is actuated, said lift projection is secured to said screw sled; 
 a top bracket having one end engaged with a top of one of said pair of linear actuators, wherein an opposing end is attached to a portion of a mobility apparatus; and 
 a bottom bracket having one end engaged with a bottom of one of said pair of linear actuators, wherein an opposing end is attached to a different portion of the mobility apparatus. 
 
     
     
       8. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 each one of said pair of linear actuators includes an electrical motor that rotates a screw. 
 
     
     
       9. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 said mobility device is a rollator. 
 
     
     
       10. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 said mobility device is a wheel chair. 
 
     
     
       11. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 said mobility device is a motorized wheel chair, said top bracket includes a first wheel chair leg and a second wheel chair leg, one end of the first wheelchair leg is pivotally engaged with one end of said second wheelchair leg, an opposing end of said first wheelchair leg is pivotally engaged with a top of one of said pair of linear actuators, an opposing end of said second wheelchair leg is pivotally secured to a seat side frame of said motorized wheelchair. 
 
     
     
       12. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 7  wherein:
 said mobility device is a motorized scooter, said top bracket includes a first scooter leg and a second scooter leg, one end of said first scooter leg is pivotally engaged with one end of said second scooter leg, an opposing end of said first scooter leg, an opposing end of said second wheelchair leg is pivotally secured to a seat side frame of said motorized scooter. 
 
     
     
       13. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 said lift projection extends directly outward from said screw sled. 
 
     
     
       14. A lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus comprising:
 a pair of linear actuators which each include a screw sled and a lift projection, said screw sled moves along at least a portion of a lengthwise axis of said linear actuator when said linear actuator is actuated, said lift projection is secured to said screw sled; 
 a power switch is accessible when grasping said lift projection, said on-off switch is used to power said pair of electrical motors; and 
 at least one bracket capturing one of said pair of linear actuators and being secured to a portion of a mobility apparatus. 
 
     
     
       15. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 each one of said pair of linear actuators includes an electrical motor that rotates a screw. 
 
     
     
       16. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a hand brake extending from at least one of said pair of lift projections. 
 
     
     
       17. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 said mobility device is a rollator. 
 
     
     
       18. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 said mobility device is a wheel chair. 
 
     
     
       19. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 said mobility device is a motorized wheel chair. 
 
     
     
       20. The lift assist device for attachment to a mobility apparatus of  claim 14  wherein:
 said mobility device is a motorized scooter.